ENCrypted P25 comes to Plattsmouth

realgeo · #1 (**permalink**) 06-25-2009, 09:50 PM

Good evening everyone!!!

Listeners to 851.4000 - Plattsmouth PD - tonight have no doubt made the realization that P25 Encryption is being tested. Between 8:15 and 8:45p, I have heard 4 transmissions that light-up the "ENC" indication on my BCD396T.

It was odd - around 7:25p tonight, I happened to catch a short exchange on 155.4900 where one Officer said, "Go over to 34's house - we got the programming figured out and we can update all of the portables now. Does everyone copy?"

I don't know "34", but it sounds as if the disappearance of Mobile Communications has left radio maintenance in the hands of the users! I wonder what Motorola would think about the software licensing situation there?

In any event, if this testing progresses into routine use, I can't help but think that CCSO is not far behind.

Anyone know anything more about this developing story?

73's

43g70 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-25-2009, 10:10 PM

I bet they have the license for the radios software knowing what the future might bring.

Self maintenance is making more sense every year when the shops get fewer and fewer.

NeFire242 · #3 (**permalink**) 06-27-2009, 03:50 AM

92034 is Mark. Good guy.

I hope they all get cloned the same! lol Will find out real fast.

SDOG · #4 (**permalink**) 06-27-2009, 11:41 AM

I can shed a little info..... PPD has had Encryption for sometime... but rarely has it been used. When the portable template was built by the previous mentioned radio shop they did not set up mixed mode receive properly and although the template said mixed mode rx, it didn't work... It was found that improper NAC and PL codes were assigned on the analog and digital channels. Once those were taken care of, mixed mode rx worked properly. As far as ENC goes.. I don't beleive you will see it used alot, but it may be used on occasion for sensitive information transmissions. Once all the radios have been reprogrammed you may see more of the P25 traffic. But your geuss is as good as mine. if it will be used on a regular basis...

realgeo · #5 (**permalink**) 06-27-2009, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDOG

I can shed a little info..... PPD has had Encryption for sometime... but rarely has it been used. When the portable template was built by the previous mentioned radio shop they did not set up mixed mode receive properly and although the template said mixed mode rx, it didn't work... It was found that improper NAC and PL codes were assigned on the analog and digital channels. Once those were taken care of, mixed mode rx worked properly. As far as ENC goes.. I don't beleive you will see it used alot, but it may be used on occasion for sensitive information transmissions. Once all the radios have been reprogrammed you may see more of the P25 traffic. But your geuss is as good as mine. if it will be used on a regular basis...

Good morning, SDOG and all!

Misconfiguration of the Mixed Mode, combined with wrong NACs, can certainly result in non-communication! I've had quite a bit of experience in programming P25 parameters, just on my own radios, and that was one of my first stumbling blocks for a short time. "Digital CSQ" is also a good troubleshooting tool, but you've already figured out your NAC issue, so it's of little consequence!

Thanks for the information and 73s!!